Pastor s Message We re letting go of the old year and getting ready to delve into I have to say that 2014 was a good year for Elk River Lutheran

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1 January 2015 Newsletter Trusting in God s grace, An accepting, joyful community, Calling and growing followers of Jesus Who live in the Spirit, serving God and neighbor. Pastor s Message We re letting go of the old year and getting ready to delve into I have to say that 2014 was a good year for Elk River Lutheran We worked hard to get ready for being received as a full member of the ELCA. At the synod convention in May, we were officially received and over 75 members on the stage for this exciting event were the highlight of convention. We continued to address the needs of this congregation and 2 new council members/teams were added to our leadership New Member Outreach and Fellowship. We celebrated our 5 -year anniversary of this congregation as a worshipping community. And we continued to build ministry, grew as a community of the faithful, reached out into the community through all of our ministry teams and learned the intricacies of having our own building and so much more. We were blessed by God and for that we are thankful! As we look forward to 2015 the Spirit will continue to lead us The call committee is hard at work discerning God s plan for our future We will be assuming the mortgage of the church in the near future Ministry Teams continue to roll out new ways to become active and serve God and the community of Elk River And we walk by faith not knowing exactly were God will lead us, but trusting in God s presence, direction and believing God s plan is so much more than we can imagine. We will be blessed by God and for that we are thankful! I challenge you to take a look at 2014 and see how God has been present in your life. Then to look forward to 2015 and see where God is leading you. To be thankful for all of the sacred moments, both hard and joy filled and to anticipate blessing upon blessing for Table of Contents Pastor s Message... 1 President s Message... 2 Treasurers Report... 2 Children, Youth & Family... 3 Music Ministry... 4 Facilities & Hospitality... 5 News & Upcoming Events Calendar... 8 Contact Information Office... (763) info@elkriverlutheran.org Pastor Heidi... (612) pastorheidi@elkriverlutheran.org Kari Osmek(763) ksosmek@elkriverlutheran.org Loren Green... (763) loren.green@elkriverlutheran.org Taylor Quinn... (816) taylor.quinn@elkriverlutheran.org To God be the Glory! Pastor Heidi

2 President s Message Happy New Year! As everyone nears the end of the Christmas Holiday and settles into a New Year we rejoice in the time we have spent with family and friends and the new set of memories we have made. The magi followed the bright star and were not sure what they would find. Our journey at Elk River Lutheran Church is much the same. We continue to refine our mission so that we are a bright shining star in Elk River. The ERLC site profile for finding a called pastor will be complete this month and the process moves forward. The finance team has begun the process of completing paperwork to obtain a mortgage. In collaboration with the Land Of Lakes Choirboys, we have a second smart board at no additional cost to ERLC. The ministry teams have completed their wish lists for items that will make their work more effective. This month on our website you will be able to see the services for the last week. If you are out of town, sick, home with a sick child, working shift work or deployed with our military we do not want you to miss out on Pastor Heidi's great messages. We look forward to 2015 with great anticipation and I challenge you to find your gifts or talents that will help us on our journey into our bright future! Kim Hauger ERLC Council President Call Committee Update: The call committee has been working diligently and faithfully to complete the profile and met weekly and even thru the Christmas Holiday season and has completed the profile. The profile is being submitted to executive committee at their January 14th meeting. The profile will then be submitted to the synod. Bishop Ann M. Svennungsen is coming to meet with Elk River Lutheran Church on January 25. The Spirit IS at work in this place. Treasurer s Report 3 YEAR MONTHLY GENERAL OFFERING INCOME COMPARISON YEAR AUG Sept Oct Nov $36, $24, $28, $41, $28, $28, $30, $28, $28, $33, $24, $31, July-November general giving total: $157, July-November general giving total: $142, July-November general giving total: $149, ***The year-end giving statements will be mailed out in January. If you do not receive your statement, or if you have questions regarding any amounts, please contact Diane Harding ( ) or Loren at the Church office. Thank you -- your generosity is overwhelming. God s blessings for the New Year! Diane Harding ERLC Council Treasurer

3 Children, Youth & Family Thank you! Thank you to everyone who helped make our Breakfast with St. Nicholas and Christmas Program possible. A special thanks to the students, parents and Sunday school teachers Confirmation Mentors Can you help as a Confirmation Mentor for 20 minutes following the mid-week Lent service? Please Kari at ksosmek@gmail.com

4 Music Ministry Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing. Joy, unspeakable joy! An overflowing well; No tongue can tell! Joy, unspeakable joy! It rises in my soul, Never lets me go! He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love. Happy New Year, everyone! What a wonderful time for some post-christmas reflections. The Praise Team and the choir had a lot going on throughout the Christmas season. The Christmas Eve services were well attended, and the musicians were at their best. Bea Bastyr provided her expertise on the piano for the 3:00pm service with Dale Ziner, as they ushered you into the worship mood with Do You Hear What I Hear. The Praise Team skillfully provided music for the 5:30pm service, and was joined by Tyler Babneau on guitar. He and his sister Hannah offered to us a meaningful Christmas rendition of Leonard Cohen s Hallelujah. At the 10:00pm service, the choir was joined by Kerry Livingston on flute for their song On this Still, Silent Night. At all three services, we lit candles and enjoyed the perpetually calming hymn Silent Night. Besides providing great music for our Christmas Eve service, Praise Team members Ron, Jon, Ben and Austin had a blast accompanying the kids for their Christmas program on the 21 st. Elk River Lutheran is blessed to have such talented musicians in our congregation who are willing to provide that extra energy for our young singers. The choir also joined young singers from Elk River High School for the high school s annual Christmas concert on the 22 nd. Elk River Lutheran was blessed to be connected to our community through this concert. Many people commented on how great the choir sounded, and how much it meant to the students. Our musicians are such a great gift to us as a congregation. They re willing to come in every week to rehearse, and willing to come in every Sunday to provide us with quality music that assists us in worshiping our Lord. Our Christmas presents are given to us every week all year round as these musicians offer their talent and skill. Many thanks to all of them. See you Sunday, Taylor Quinn ERLC Music Ministry Director

5 Upcoming Events & Announcements Adult Faith is introducing a new Video Series beginning Jan. 18 th during Sunday Morning Education. Jan 18 th Feb. 8 th March 8 th April 19 th When the Rabbi Says Come When the Rabbi Says Go Living Stones The Very Words of God Join us for this well-done, interactive study. Together we follow Jesus! Sunday Morning Adult Forum 9:30 AM Sunday Afternoon Study 4 PM Beginning in Jan we will be meeting once a month to explore how we can serve in our lives and world. 1/11 Chapters 1,2 2/1 Chapters 3-5 3/1 Chapters 6-8 4/12 Chapters /3 Chapters Why should I come? o Grow in faith and discipleship o Learn about service o Explore what it means to care for your world as an expression of faith o GET TO KNOW YOUR FAMILY HERE at Elk River Lutheran as you have informal conversations around the table Do I need to prepare? We suggest that if you are able you read ahead but an overview of the chapters will be presented each time and the studies stand-alone. Our next New Members Class will be on Sunday, January 18 at 11:45 a.m. with a luncheon. Please let Loren or Heidi know if you are interested in becoming a new member of Elk River Lutheran Church. New Members Sunday, where all those who are interested in joining will be received, will be January 25 th at both services. Mark your calendar Chili Cook-Off Super Bowl Sunday, February 1 starting at 6:00 pm Maybe we can t be in Arizona but we can enjoy the game on an 80-inch screen! Join us for any or all sessions as you are able.

6 Hospitality With the Holidays behind us and the cold temperatures upon us, Hospitality feels quite a void in the Sunday morning coffee rotation schedule with snowbirds leaving for a few months. We decided to have donuts and/or donut holes once a month for the next 4 months. We do need a coffee coordinator for January 18. We had one member of our committee resign this month and are excited to welcome Sandy Krumweide to our committee. Peg Davies (co-chair), is gone for 6 weeks now and Barb Overbye (co-chair) will be gone for February and March. Charee Wagenpfeil-Cain has agreed to be the contact person during the time Barb and Peg are both gone. Some purchases were made over the past month. We purchased 125 soup bowls, which will be used each Wednesday during the Lenten season. We have purchased 25 more forks and dinner plates to total 300. These are much lighter and have been working well for the funerals we have served. We will be purchasing a new small coffee pot for the level 2 coffee areas outside the boardroom. Also for this area we will purchase a small microwave to replace the large one there. The boardroom is used for Women s Bible Study and by several small groups who will be able to make coffee there. Stop by the 2nd floor and take a look. January s meeting was held at Rockwood s with the committee members enjoying dinner together (pictured above) Volunteers Are you able to share some of your time and building/carpentry skills to assist a non-profit in Minneapolis? We can share our light in so many ways! The Facilities Committee invites you as they Improve Their Serve beyond our walls. Thursday, January 15 th 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Volunteers NEEDED HELP BUILD the NEW Whittier Family Center 2611 First Avenue South Call Greg Pouliot ( ) or Vance Zehringer ( ) if you have questions. We need sheet rockers, painters, electrical work, carpeting, tapers, etc. Bring your own tools

7 Upcoming Events & Announcements Fellowship invites the congregation to join in the fun Sat. Jan. 17 at 10am Tubing at Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area Meet at the church at 9:30. We ll carpool to Maple Grove and meet back at the church for hot chocolate. Get to know your fellow members and have a great time doing it! All hands Meeting 3-4:30 pm Sunday, January 25 th The ministry teams at ERLC work together to make ministry happen. All leadership is invited to attend the All Hands Meeting as we look at how we can build ministry together in this place. Invited are all council members, ministry team chairs and leadership. Join us if you want to see how ministry happens at ERLC. God is present as we move forward! CAER needs volunteers to help with food distribution on: January 12, 2015, Monday, 9:45 am to 12:30 pm January 14, 2015, Wednesday, 9:45 am to 12:30 pm January 16, 2015, Friday, 9:45 am to 12:30 pm The dates volunteers are needed for in February are: February 9, 2015, Monday, 9:45 am to 12:30 pm February 11, 2015, Wednesday, 9:45 am to 12:30 pm February 13, 2015, Friday, 9:45 am to 12:30 pm

8 ERLC Calendar, Birthdays, Holidays in United States, LOLCB Family Calendar Jan 2015 (Central Time) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Church Office Closed 8am - Men's Bible Study New Year's Day :15am - Traditional 5:30pm - Hospitality 9:30am - Quilting Group 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm - AA 8am - Men's Bible Study 9:30am - No Sunday 6:30pm - Facilities 1:30pm - Staff Meeting 6:30pm - Confirmation 1pm - McFarlane - 10:30am - Praise Band 7pm - Men's Bible Study 6:30pm - New Members 7pm - Praise Team 7:30pm - Highschool 8pm - Adult Faith :15am - Traditional 6:30pm - CYF Meeting 9:30am - Quilting Group 6pm - Worship Committee 7:30pm - AA 8am - Men's Bible Study 9:30am - Improving Your 7pm - Men's Bible Study 9:30am - Women's Bible 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 10am - Sledding Event 9:30am - Sunday School 1:30pm - Staff Meeting 6:30pm - Confirmation 10:30am - Praise Band 6:30pm - CSO 7pm - Executive Council 11:30am - Budish - 7pm - Finance 7pm - Praise Team 4pm - Improving Your 7pm - Women's Bible 7:30pm - Highschool 7pm - Fellowship 8pm - Staff New Members Class Martin Luther King Day Upcoming Newsletter 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm - AA 8am - Men's Bible Study 8:15am - Traditional 12:30pm - Parkinson 9:30am - Quilting Group 6:30pm - Confirmation 9:30am - Sunday School 7pm - Men's Bible Study 1:30pm - Staff Meeting 7pm - Praise Team 10:30am - Praise Band 7pm - Council 7:30pm - Highschool New Members Received 7pm - Men's Bible Study 9:30am - Quilting Group 6:30pm - Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm - AA 8am - Men's Bible Study 8:15am - Traditional 1:30pm - Staff Meeting 6:30pm - Confirmation 9:30am - Sunday School 7pm - Praise Team 10:30am - Praise Band 7:30pm - Highschool 3pm - All Hands Meeting